I hope some of you long time cruiser parents can offer advice on this one. Our daughter would like to know if Mariner of the Seas provides life vests or jackets for kids who want to swim in the pools and if so, how much do the vests cost? They have 3 kids 6 and 5 who aren't very good swimmers andd she is planning on bringing theirs, but hubby doesn't want to as they have enough luggage without toting life vests along as well. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks all http://cruise-chat.com/groupee_commo...icon_smile.gif

Dave

05-05-2007 04:05 PM

To my knowledge they do not. I've never seen vests offered - either for free or for a charge.

Jim C.

05-05-2007 04:56 PM

Dave... I don't have first hand knowledge (yet...) but does the Mariner have a kiddie pool (one that isn't deep) so they can stand up all the time?

Other thought was to bring blow up type water wings. That way you can deflate them to put them in the luggage and still have somethin gfor them to wear.

LisaP

05-05-2007 05:00 PM

Like Dave, I have never seen them offered on board, either. I agree with your daughter that they should bring their own vests. Not only are they great in the pools, they should also be used if they visit any beaches. Our son was once knocked down by a wave in Antigua and, while we were standing right next to him when it happened, we were glad he was wearing his vest at the time.

Dave

05-05-2007 05:13 PM

Jim,

I don't recall a kiddie pool on the Mariner. It was just the main pools for kids since the Solarium is adults only. The main pools are/were salt water - I say this because I was surprised to find fresh water pools on the Freedom Of The Seas which is a departure for RCI.

prairygirl

05-05-2007 05:29 PM

Thank you everyone for the replies. I suggested water wings but she doesn't like that idea so it looks like they will have to bring them. The kids all love the water and its not worth taking a chance, is it? As for the kiddie pool, I am sure I saw a picture of one in the Adventure Club area that is little kid size . Of course, it doesn't take much water for a child to drown in , does it. Thanks again everyone ; only 7 more sleeps till we leave for Toronto and then on to Orlando for the May 13th cruise and wedding . Whoohoooo http://cruise-chat.com/groupee_commo...on_biggrin.gif

Sonny V

05-05-2007 06:30 PM

Yes, the Voyager class ships have a pool just for children in the "Adventure Ocean" area. This is where the water slide is. Click HERE to see a picture of it. Click on "NEXT" above the pool picture and you'll see the bottom of the water slide, which is right behind the kid's pool.

Sonny

Dave

05-05-2007 06:34 PM

As always, Sonny has the definitive RCI answers! I just don't remember seeing the kid's pool on the Mariner, but then we didn't really tour the AO area since our son wanted to stick with us and he didn't use the kid's program - plus he was 10 at the time and already an expert swimmer.

Dave

05-05-2007 06:35 PM

BTW, another question for Sonny.....did you get an invitation for a preview cruise on the Liberty?

Sonny V

05-05-2007 08:11 PM

Hi Dave, sorry to say I didn't get an invitation. I talked to a man on the Explorer who has 83 cruises, he got an invitation last week. Even if I did get one, I don't think I'd go. A two day free cruise isn't worth spending $600 on air fare to get there. You will be the first to know if I do get an invite.